FLUSHING, N.Y. – Continuing their season-opening three-match homestand, the Queens College women's soccer team welcomed Caldwell University to Knights Field Sunday afternoon for a non-conference matchup.
Controlling possession and dictating the pace throughout the afternoon, the Knights received goals from seniors
Anna Tavantzis,
Ashley Kieblesz, and
Ava Lekanides to secure a 3-0 victory over the Cougars.
With the win, Queens improves to 2-0 on the young season, marking the first time since 2013 that the Knights have opened a season with back-to-back victories. It also marks the first 2-0 start under fifth-year head coach
Thomas Paris.
MATCH RECAP
Caldwell recorded the first shot of the afternoon, but the attempt sailed wide left before Queens quickly took control of the match.
Junior
Morgan Khadra and Kieblesz recorded back-to-back shots in the third and fourth minutes, with Khadra's attempt blocked before Kieblesz's shot deflected off the right post.
The Knights continued to apply pressure, recording three shots over a five-minute stretch while keeping the Cougars pinned in their defensive end.
In the 23rd minute, Queens earned a corner kick that led to an opportunity for Lekanides, but her attempt was saved by the Caldwell goalkeeper near the bottom center of the goal.
Continuing to dictate the pace of play, the Knights recorded 16 shots in the opening half while earning 10 corner kicks.
Queens finally broke through in the 40th minute. Rookie
Mia Hanson delivered a cross toward the right post, where Tavantzis rose to head the ball home and give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Just before halftime, Caldwell registered its second shot of the contest and first on target, but senior goalkeeper
Samantha Hines-Hirsch made the save to preserve the Knights' one-goal advantage heading into the break.
Queens carried its momentum into the second half, continuing to pressure the Cougars defense in search of an insurance goal.
Hanson nearly doubled the lead in the 49th minute, but her shot was denied by the Caldwell goalkeeper.
The Cougars then threatened on the counterattack, but Hines-Hirsch came up with a key save near the bottom center of the goal to keep Caldwell off the scoreboard.
In the 77th minute, the Knights capitalized on a free-kick opportunity. Junior
Keeley Harden delivered a long cross toward Kieblesz, who unleashed a right-footed shot into the back of the net for her third goal of the season, extending the Queens lead to 2-0.
Hines-Hirsch continued to preserve the shutout, making her third save of the afternoon in the 79th minute. Following another Caldwell corner kick, the senior goalkeeper came up with her fourth save to keep the Cougars scoreless.
Queens put the match out of reach in the 83rd minute after sophomore
Grace Kinney earned the Knights their first penalty kick of the season. Senior captain Lekanides stepped to the spot and calmly converted with a right-footed shot down the middle, giving Queens a 3-0 advantage.
The Knights would see out the remainder of the contest to secure their second straight victory and open the season 2-0.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Caldwell 22-5, including an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal.
- Four Knights recorded three or more shots, with Lekanides, Hanson, Kieblesz, and senior Kayla Camacho combining for nine shots on target
- Tavantzis recorded her first goal of the season and sixth of her career. Sunday's goal marked the second game-winning goal of her career.
- Kieblesz recorded her third goal of the season and seventh of her Queens career.
- Lekanides notched her first goal of the season and third of her career.
- Hanson tallied her first career assist in her second collegiate start.
- Harden recorded her first assist of the season and fourth of her career.
- Hines-Hirsch recorded four saves to earn her 11th career shutout and 14th career victory between the pipes.
NEXT MATCH
Queens concludes its three-match homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 2, when the Knights welcome Bentley University to Knights Field. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), Instagram (qcknightsny), women's soccer (qcwsoccer)
